A cannula includes an elongate cannula body formed of a translucent polycarbonate plastic having a distal end and the distal end has a sharp edge that frays and weakens sutures that rub against it. A distal tip has a rounded leading end and is disposed in overlying, protective relation to the distal end of the cannula body and the sharp edge. The distal tip is formed of a material that is substantially unbreakable upon contact with bone or other hard material encountered during surgery. The material may be a metal, a thermoplastic urethane or a thermoplastic urethane rubber. An annular recess formed in a lumen of the cannula body at the distal end of the cannula body accommodates the distal tip so that the lumen of the cannular body and the lumen of the distal tip are flush with one another.